Additional Information
A strong science and math background, and an interest in technology are
essential to work in this field.
Some dialysis technicians enter the field with a high school diploma, gaining
skills on the job. However, many employers now prefer candidates with formal
training from a dialysis technician program.
Some community colleges and technical institutes offer training programs
for dialysis technicians. Programs are typically six to 12 weeks in length.
They combine classroom and hands-on clinical work. Graduates of dialysis technician
programs may earn a certificate or technical diploma.
Courses usually include study of the kidneys, dialysis systems and equipment.
Students learn to set up and maintain dialysis machines. Safe disposal of
blood and medical waste is also studied, as is how to handle patients.
"Technicians can start out with a high school diploma, but those that choose
to go on and get college degrees...are able to move up in the industry in
both the clinical setting and the corporate setting," says technical specialist
Lee Cauble.
Certification is required in some states and may involve passing an exam,
completing an approved training program and having clinical experience. Dialysis
technicians are encouraged to get certified.
An electronics background is important if you want to work with dialysis
machines specifically. "The equipment that we're using is becoming sophisticated
and requires a little more understanding of...electronics. It's good to have
a good electronics background if you're going to be working with this equipment,"
says Cauble.